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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - SCRIVER RECREATION STUDY (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: NEW BUSINESS Jeff Kolin DATE: MARCH 13, 1991 SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA RIVER RECREATION AND WATER FEATURES STUDY DEPARTMENT: PARKS AND RECREATION f BACKGROUND The Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study represents a six-month long effort of a 26 member task force, a. multi -disciplinary consultant team, extensive citizen involvement, public input, and City staff work to produce a vision or conceptual plan for the Santa Clara. The study will serve as a guide for the community, staff, and developers in the future. The study communicates what we, the community and.the City, want our river to look like in the future. The study is intended to be a dynamic document which will grow and change as our understanding of the river, our flood control needs, water recharge management practices, and management of sensitive ecological areas increases. We frequently and clearly communicate that this is not an implementation document. It will require further work to develop ordinances, policies, and specific guidelines which can be used by the Community Development Department, Public Works Department, and Parks and Recreation Department in order to implement the recommendations of the study. Adoption of the study is the first of many steps which need to be taken to achieve our vision for the Santa Clara River. The River Study has been presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on January 7 and January 14 meetings, and to the Planning Commission on January 24, 1991. Each Commission supported the study and provided staff with a list of concerns which have been included in the attached list of proposed additions and changes to the text of the report. Attachment "A" The City Council conducted a study session on February 6, 1991, where a detailed presentation on the River Study was provided by ..BSI Consultants,_ Inc. Presentations were also made by Lynn Harris, Director of Community Development, and Dick Kopecky, Assistant City Engineer, -on some of the key issues related to the River Study. Construction in the flood plain and the. most appropriate method of protecting SEA'S from the impact of development were outlined in detail and a number of alternatives or approaches were explained. The City Council asked that staff return the study to a regular agenda for further consideration by the Council. GENERAL PLAN The Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study will be an important document to help guide the development of implementation measures for the General Plan. The Planning Commission on February 13, 1991, reviewed the Parks and Recreation Element and the Open Space and Conservation Element of the City's General Plan. These two elements each contain goals and policies which relate to the Santa Clara River Recreation nd W ter Features Study. The Planning Continued To: a R Agenda Item:' Commission recognized that the City Council would be taking final action on the river study in late February or March and delayed its action on these portions of the two elements so that the river study recommendations as adopted by the City Council could be incorporated into the elements. Two key issues have been discussed at each of the study sessions and public involvement sessions for the river study. The first issue concerns the definition of the river boundaries and development of policy concerning construction in the flood plain. Staff has included in the recommendations portion of this staff report, a preferred method for defining the river, and a proposed policy direction for staff to pursue in the development of implementation programs for the river study and General Plan. Staff's recommendations are based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers definition of the river and its important habitat areas. It includes the flood way, wetlands, and riparian areas, and will provide a balance between the need for an aggressive water recharge basin preservation program, additional flood control improvements, private property rights, and a desire to preserve and enhance sensitive ecological areas. The Valencia Company has also developed a suggested approach and set of criteria to be incorporated in a special standard zone adjacent to the river. This approach would take the place, or supplement, or supplant the buffer zones recommended in the Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study. Staff is recommending that should the Council wish to incorporate the use of special standard zones, that staff pursue development of implementation mechanisms which address the use of these standards together with an option for employing buffer zones to protect especially sensitive habitat areas. Copies of the Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study are on file at the City Clerk's Office and were distributed to the City Council in your study session agenda packets. A summary of the staff introductory comments is also included in the City Clerk's materials. FISCAL IMPACTS The decisions and direction provided by Council for staff and the development of future implementation mechanisms for the Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study have potential future fiscal impacts on the City of Santa Clarita. A decision by the Council to pursue a prohibition of construction in the 100=year flood plain could potentially create an inverse. condemnation situation where existing land owners could claim compensation for their loss of development rights from the City of. Santa Clarita. A definition of the river, which includes a widened protected zone, would also ,increase the cost of future public improvements such as bridges and pedestrian crossings. These increased costs would be primarily related.to increased width of spans for bridges. The recommended, approach of using the flood way for tributaries to the Santa Clara as the definition for the preferred protected zone, and the Army Corps of Engineers definition of waters of the U.S. including flood way, riparian areas, and wetlands for the Santa Clara River, offers an environmentally sensitive and proactive approach to management .of the river and its many benefits to our community. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Adopt the Santa Clara River Study and incorporate changes in Attachment "A" - Planning and Parks and Recreation Commission revisions, and Attachment "B" - suggested staff revisions. 2. Direct staff to develop implementation mechanisms for the Santa Clara River Study. Recommendations based on the following guidelines: a. Prohibit construction in the flood way, riparian areas, wetlands, as defined by the Army Corps of Engineers on San Francisquito Creek and on the Santa Clara River. Prohibit construction of structures in the flood way, on tributaries to the Santa Clara River, including but not limited to the South Fork of the Santa Clara, Newhall Creek, Placerita Creek, Sand Canyon Creek, Bouquet Canyon, and Solamint Canyon. b. Develop a special standards zone and a list of criteria for development adjacent to the Santa Clara River and its tributaries. Incorporate the use of buffer zones for extremely sensitive significant ecological areas within the Santa Clara River drainage area. C. Direct staff to prepare revisions to goal, policy, and implementation measures in the Park and Recreation Element and Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan to reflect the recommendations of the Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study. ATTACHMENTS A. Planning and Park & Recreation Commission recommended revisions B. Staff recommended revisions C. Suggested Special Standards Area/Zone criteria D. Illustration of various river definition boundaries ATTACHMENT A PARRS & RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED REVISIONS TO THE SANTA CLARA RIVER RECREATION WATER FEATURES STUDY Page 33 Section VIII Santa Clara River Corridor Plan Central River Plaza (Insert between paragraph 2, on the bottom of page 33, and paragraph 3, located on the top of page 34) The William S. Hart Youth Baseball and Softball Organization currently leases approximately 14 acres of land in this location from the Newhall Land and Farming Company. Eight baseball/ softball fields have been developed by William S: Hart Organization, three of which are lighted. This youth baseball program enjoys a very large participation in the community with nearly 2,000 participants. The organization provides high quality youth athletic activities through the extensive use of volunteers. It would be necessary to either: 1) develop the Central River Plaza around theexistingbaseball field activities; 2) secure an alternative site for the baseball/softball facilities, and replace and/or jointly develop the baseball/ softball fields or, 3) failing to find an alternative for development of the youth baseball/softball facilities identify an alternative site for the development of the Central River Plaza concept somewhere else on the Santa Clara River. The site identified in the conceptual plan for the Santa Clara River is one which makes sense from a pure land use and location perspective, but is not practical unless an acceptable site is provided for the youth athletic activities currently existing on the site. The current location is within the hundred year flood plain and is only available on a year-to-year lease with no long term permanent guarantees for the site. The potential for increased development in this .area of the valley is great and it is likely that this particular area of the City will become the City Center or urban core of the valley in the future. Pressures to develop this site would increase consistent with the growth and development of adjacent properties. The relocation of the youth athletic facilities would offer an opportunity for a more permanent site without flooding hazards. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED REVISIONS TO THE SANTA CLARA RIVER.RECREATION AND WATER FEATURES STUDY V. Issues, Goals, and Objectives Page 13 Add additional Objective • Remove fences and barriers where appropriate to provide additional public access to the river. V. Issues, Goals, and Objectives Page 15 Add to Goal To integrate the surrounding communities while providing the river lands with a positive identity and preserving its integrity as a natural recreational resource. Add to Objectives • Implement a public education program to emphasis the value and importance of the river. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR INCLUSION IN THE ELEMENT A. Identify additional alternative sites for location of the River Plaza so that options are stated in their report in case the area at the confluence of the Santa Clara River and the South Fork of the Santa Clara River is not available. B. Examine future requirements for parking areas and evaluate carefully against the impacts on air quality. C. Request that the City Council provide additional direction on construction in the flood plain and use of buffer zones to set back develop from sensitive ecological areas. ATTACHMENT B STAFF RECOMMENDED REVISIONS TO THE SANTA CLARA RIVER RECREATION AND WATER FEATURES STUDY I. Introduction Page 3 1. Study Area "West" - Natural and Passive First paragraph, amend first sentence as follows: This reach extends eastward from Interstate 5 to the confluence of the South Fork of the Santa Clara and the main channel of the Santa Clara River. Third paragraph, amend second sentence as follows: In addition, buffer zones of open space/parks should be considered on adjacent land to minimize proposed housing or commercial impact on the .river environment. Add to bulleted items: water features 2. Study Area "Central Reach" — Moderate Use First paragraph, amend as follows: This reach encompasses the Santa Clara River from the confluence of the South Fork of.the Santa Clara River and the main channel of the.Santa Clara River east to Canyon Country. I. Introduction Page 4 Add to bulleted items at top of the page: • trails 3. Study Area "East" - High Use Add to bulleted items after third paragraph: trails Third paragraph, add as follows to the end: Reclaimed water from treatment plants will be an important source of water for the creation of on and off -channel water features. II. BenefitsofRecreational Development Page 9 Summary of Economic Benefits Amend last bulleted item as follows: Improved land values adjacent to the river III. Santa Clara River Corridor Plan Synopsis Page.10 Third paragraph, second sentence, amend as follows: On -channel water features: include elements located within the river basin, whereas, off -channel water features are those elements located upon or away from the river banks. Third paragraph, add to the end as.follows: Reclaimed water from treatment plants will be an important source of water for the creation -of on and off -channel water features. V. Issues, Goals, and Objectives Page 13 Public Use and Access Under Objectives, add bulleted item as follows: . Remove fences and barriers where appropriate V. Issues, Goals, and Objectives Page 14 Wildlife Habitat Quality Under Objectives, delete bulleted.item as follows: • Establish an appropriate ecological buffer system between various land uses. Add bulleted item as follows: • Develop criteria and guidelines for a special standards zone including consideration of use of set backs and/or buffers for extremely sensitive ecological areas. 6 V. Issues, Goals, and Objectives Page 15 Flood Control Under Objectives, amend as follows: • Prohibit human made structures within the floodway and adjacent riparian and wetland areas, unless it can be demonstrated to significantly benefit the public's health, safety, and welfare. V. Issues, Goals, and Objectives Page 16 Water Resources Under Objectives, add as follows: • Encourage construction of a third waste water treatment plant in the eastern end of the City. VI. Recreational and Water Feature Opportunities Page 18 Additional Planning and Design Goals Under Recreation, amend as follows: Recreation - To provide diverse opportunities and experiences for recreation that are meaningful for local and regional users and that build upon the unique qualities of the Santa Clara River. VI. Recreational and Water Feature Opportunities Page 18 Under Aesthetic Quality, amend as follows: Aesthetic Quality - To improve the attractiveness of the Santa Clara River so that it will benefit the recreation, economic, and image potential of the area. Under Economic Enhancement, amend as follows: Economic Enhancement - To provide a setting that encouragesspecialmixed use development adjacent to the river. Under Neighborhood Enforcement, amend as follows: Neighborhood Enforcement - .To create a green, open -space network that is sensitive to existing neighborhoods and provides safe connections from neighborhoods to the Santa Clara River and other potential destinations. VII. Design Considerations Page'22 Trail System, first paragraph, second sentence, amend as follows: The River Corridor Trail System 'Map, Exhibit S, illustrates the proposed location of the various trail designations and supports the Trail System Map generated by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and adopted by the City of Santa Clarita. VII. Design Considerations Page 24 Fourth paragraph, first sentence, amend as follows: Posts or fencing around the parking lot shouldbeused to prevent automobile and motorcycle access onto the trails. VII. Design Considerations Page 26 Buffers, first paragraph, add the.following sentence: Buffer systems should be incorporated in to an overall special standards zone approach which would establish criteria as to when and where buffer zones should be incorporated to protect particularly sensitive wetland habitats and riparian areas on the Santa Clara River and its tributaries. VII. Design Considerations Page 27 Buffer Width and Land Use Compatibility Delete the sentence as follows: Generally, access is precluded from biological buffers, while trails and passive recreation may be appropriate for planning buffers. VII. Design Considerations Page 29 Under No Land Use Sensitivity,'the first sentence should read as follows: These areas are currently disturbed, have no potential for future habitat restoration or enhancement. Habitat Preservation Area First paragraph, third sentence, amend as follows: However, more active uses should be carefully analyzed, and trails and other park amenities within these areas should be designed to minimize or avoid impacts to these areas. VIi. Design Considerations Page 32 Under Biological and Planning Buffers, amend as follows: Adequate biological and planning buffers should be incorporated into the plan where appropriate to protect particularly sensitive ecological areas. Standards and criteria for buffer zones and/or set backs should be included in special standards zones adjacent to the river. Exhibit 8 - Trail System, amend as follows: Bicycle or multi -use trail designations should be included on the main Santa Clara River west of the Interstate 5 freeway, and east of Sand Canyon. VIII. Santa Clara River Corridor Plan Page 34 Central River Plaza Insert between first and second paragraphs: Several alternative sites for the River Plaza can also be explored should the confluence area not be available. They include: Canyon Country -- Santa Clara River southside near Frontier Days site; Saugus-- panhandle area of Santa Clara River north side, southside of Santa Clara River opposite Bermite or the north side of the Santa Clara River between McBean and Bouquet Canyon. Exhibit 11 The two foot mowed edge should be deleted from the hard and soft surface trail cross section. Exhibit 12 The width of the equestrian trail should be 10 feet. Exhibit 18 The width of the horse trail should be 10 feet minimum. VII. Santa Clara River Corridor Plan Page 39 Water Sources, third paragraph, amend second and third bulleted items as follows: • Groundwater withdrawal through properly designed and spaced wells penetrating the Saugus formation and Younger Aluvium underlying the study area; and • Construction of wastewater reclamation facilities on the eastern reach of the Santa Clara River. Page 40 Central River Plaza, (add:) Parking and traffic requirements should also be carefully analyzed for alternative sites for the River Plaza. X. Natural Resources Page 56 Under Principal tributaries at the top of the page, insert as follows: Soledad Canyon • Mint Canyon • Bouquet Canyon • South Fork of the Santa Clara River • San Francisquito Canyon • Castaic Creek Add Exhibit 27.showing Water Basin Resources Add to the Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Plan Map, alternative sites for the River Plaza area, one in the Saugus panhandle area, one in the Canyon Country area near the -Frontier Days site, one on the north side of the Santa Clara River between Bouquet Canyon road and McBean Parkway, and one on the south side of the Santa Clara River opposite the Bermite property. ATTACHMENT C SUGGESTED DRAFT SANTA CLARA RIVER SPECIAL STANDARDS AREA/ZONE CRITERIA Projects adjacent to the river: would be subject to a Conditional Use Permit. The project would be evaluated in relation to several criteria: habitat preservation and enhancement, flood protection, active and passive recreation features, landscaping, public and private access, and view orientation. The criteria •would be applied differently, depending an the type of development. Commercial/office development might be encouraged to locate closely to the river, so that pedestrian walkways, plazas or outdoor eating areas can take best advantage of the river amenities. Industrial development would be required to screen unsightly outside activities and storage, and no linkages would be provided to the river. Set backs or buffers might be required near critical habitat areas. Residential development, on the other hand, would be oriented to maximize views of the river from individual units. Landscaped common areas would be contiguous to the trail system to create the impression of a "greenway" corridor. Public parks and open space areas would also be sited to enhance the' development of a river parkway. Separation between the private residences and the public trail could be achieved by grade separation, fences and walls and/or designated public access point. As part of the CUP submittal, the applicant would provide the following information. Site plan: depicting building location, setbacks, parking, open space areas and parks. River features plan: depicting location and dimensions of trails, fending, signage, conceptual landscaping, public access, view corridors, linkages to project or adjacent open space/recreation areas, plazas, outdoor eating areas and pedestrian walkways. ' Drainage concept: showing type and location. of bank stabilization material, outlet structures and other storm drain facilities. Wetland vegetation map: Quantifying the type and location of existing vegetation, as well as replacement vegetation. Biotic information to determine the presence of endangered.species. Staff would review the CUP information for conformance with the Parks and Recreation Element, Open Space Element, Trails Plan, Land Use Plan, Santa Clara River Study and the following criteria: Impacts to' riparian vegetation and wetlands are avoided or,. as a last resort, mitigated so there is no net loss in habitat. The proposed development is protected from flood hazard, using environmentally sound and aesthetically -sensitive improvements. Fences, walls or setbacks are provided where necessary to buffer important habitat areas from development. Roads and utilities serving the proposed development are located and designed so as not to conflict with critical habitat areas. On-site landscaping utilizes native and non-native drought tolerant plant materials, creating a transition from the riparian areas to the developed areas of the project. On-site active and passive open space and recreation features are integrated with the river trail system. Public access to the river trail system is provided from public parks, trails, paseos and commercial plazas. Residential, commercial and industrial structures are oriented to provide views toward the river for building tenants and view corridors from outdoor use areas. Staff would refine criteria and standards for types of development adjacent to the river and identify critical habitat areas. Sample development plans or sections .for types of development could be developed to illustrate desired approaches to river development. Criteria and standards would be reviewed by the Parks. and- Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. I I fnr• 1 F R•< ®'ld 4' 1 IF •lll�i\\V•I J =:\ RV I I r' I 1 LEGEND DEVELOPED LAND USES A AGRICULTURE SP BUSINESS PARK C COMMERCIAL I INDUSTRIAL P PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS RC RECREATIONAL RE RESIDENTIAL U UTILITIES V VACANT NATURAL UPLAND HABITATS GR NON-NATIVE GRASSLAND CS COASTAL SAGE SCRUB GB GREAT BASIN SAGE SCRUB OW OAK WOODLAND CW COTTONWOOD WOODLAND EG EUCALYPTUS GROVE PV PLANTED VEGETATION RV RUDERAL VEGETATION A i�; r' •�/ , / ���� O / �4= FLOODWAY LIMITS �} O RIPARIAN LIMITS PROPOSED CHANNEL LINING ®------. SEA LINE - `? FLOOD PLAIN BOUNDARY FIG, 2A PjRy �_ _ mss' t�`. r-, � � ';, � ,•.: � / .,�( � 1 I r � - ";, SAN7A EXISTING LAND USES ADJACENT TO THE AQ SANTA CLARA RIVER IN THE VALENCIA NORTH RIVER PROJECT:- . v -�. - - •� � � - _Ifl�oci COMPOSITE MAP SHOWING SEA LIMITS, FLOOD PLAIN BOUNDARY. RIPARIAN LIMITS N & PROPOSED CHANNEL LINING erwuAr"r PREPARED FOR: —_:- -- -- ---. - _ a�nlrvlwo VALENCIA COMPANY — — - -- 6117VeY111O 23823 WFST VALENCIA BOULEVARD (8051255-4000 (818)3621515 91355 �.:f�.lf: - - 111'�'�" . ro nr]1wf�alrr•o,�+l.,.�.ufl•I.�f« <cul WGw If�]MrYwfI L�U,V ww tlf.IMI f 4-91 ILpTo-IU 1